KARACHI - Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has suspended mobile phone services in Karachi for seven hours ahead of the possible terrorist attack without any prior notice.
According to details, cell phone service was suspended from 11am to 6pm. Authorities have taken the decision for suspension of GSM service without any prior notice. Following the sudden break-up of GSM network across the City, residents of Karachi suffer immense communication difficulties.
Sources privy to the matter revealed that cellular services were suspended because of terrorism threats in Karachi.
Federal Interior Ministry affirmed about the threat of mobile phones being used to detonate remote controlled explosives in Karachi.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haroon Agar while talking to The Nation said that there were a number issues already existed in the City which business community usually resolve through the cellular phones. He said that now businessmen use to deal with other modes of communication.
There were a number of alternate options available which can be used by the terrorists to accomplish their nefarious designs, hence such blockage of mobile phone service provides no assurance of peace. Government should use resources in a proper way to counter the terrorism because such kind of unannounced suspension gave a huge loss to the business community.
Irfan Moton, former president of Site Association, told that it was the biggest loss faced by the business community. He said that industries already suffer due to shortage of gas and other resources and now such kind of activities also made businessmen frustrated. Government is trying to sabotage business community of the commercial hub and utilised all possible efforts to destabilise the country though such kind of activities. People have frequently been shifting their businesses and families abroad but not all businessmen wish to leave the country.  
Meanwhile, the founder and leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain telephoned Tariq Fouzi, son of veteran politician and Naib Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed. He offered condolences on the death of his father. He said that the country had lost a great politician and a kind and noble personality.
He was kind-hearted to everyone. This is the reason why all religious and political leaders are grieved on his death.